Nice Weather and Only a Touch of Forest Fire Smoke - October 8 2012

Kemmer, October 8 2012

Forest Fire Smoke Lingers in the Big Lost River Valley - October 4 2012

Kemmer on the Mine Hill with Passcreek in the background this afternoon, October 4 2012.  Our temperature took a deep from near 80 degrees yesterday to around 50 degrees today. In addition, the wind was blowing like a gale from the north AGAIN bringing in forest fire smoke from the the Halstead (179,880 acres 65 % contained) and Mustang Complex (339,380 acres 50 % contained) fires north of us. YES, THEY CONTINUE TO BURN - we need SNOW!

We are under a hard freeze warning for tonight for the first time. Goodbye to gardens in the Big Lost River Valley~

Forest Fire Smoke Continues To Linger in Mackay, Idaho September 26 2012

Taken from Spruce Street near Cedar Avenue September 26 2012

Forest Fire Smoke Continues To Foul The Air - Number Hill in Arco - September 21 2012

Number Hill in Arco from Highway 93 south of Arco. September 21 2012 2 PM.

Mackay Main Street looking toward Mine Hill  September 21 2012 9 AM.

It Is A "Stay INSIDE" Day In Custer County and Mackay Idaho Today - September 20 2012

Real-time air quality monitoring from Challis, Idaho indicates UNHEALTHY air quality this morning, Sept 20 2012. Stay INSIDE and don't exercise outside!

Forest Fire Smoke Thick in Mackay Idaho - September 17 2012

If you strain your eyes, you can see Mt. McCaleb in the background (taken mid-day). The Halstead and Mustang Complex fires continue to burn north of Mackay. Air quality in Mackay is UNHEALTHY Sept 17 2012

Better Air in Mackay Idaho Today - September 6 2012

Better air in Mackay Idaho today, September 6 2012, cloudy and cool. The Halstead Fire and Mustang Complex Fire are still burning with little containment, but the wind has taken the smoke elsewhere today.

Air Quality in Mackay, Idaho Seems A Tad Better This Afternoon, But Worse in Challis, Idaho - September 5 2012

Below is the real-time air quality monitor in Challis, Idaho at 4 PM this afternoon, September 5 2012. If you thought the air was bad this morning - it is WORSE this afternoon.

Mt. McCaleb from Smelter Avenue near River Park RV Park on Kid's Creek. 4 PM September 5 2012.

Kemmer above the Big Lost River downstream from Smelter Bridge. You should be able to see the Lost River Range above the tree line and you cannot due to the forest fire smoke from the Halstead Fire and others above Stanley. The Halstead Fires continues to grow to 140,366 acres and is still only 7 percent contained.

Mine Hill in Mackay Idaho Today - September 2 2012

Kemmer on the Mine Hill just below the Cossack. September 2 2012.

Little ground squirrel living in the rubble of one of the former aerial tramway supports on the Mine Hill. September 2 2012.

Tree line on the Mine Hill Road with the Cossack and Headhouse in the distance. September 2 2012.

Looking back toward Mackay and the Big Lost River Valley, you can see forest fire smoke from the Halstead Fire north of Stanley. September 2 2012.

Earl Lockie of the Mine Hill Preservation Committee arrives to fix the wind damaged Mine Hill Interpretative Sign at the Cattle Guard. September 2 2012.

Air Quality in Mackay Improved Today August 31 2012.

Must be the wind, however, the air quality in Mackay, Idaho is much improved today, August 31 2018. Here is a NASA photo of all the fires north of us burning wild now.

 Kemmer on the Mine Hill today August 31 2012

Mackay (34) vs Challis (40) - 1st Football Game of the Season August 24 2012

The air is THICK with forest fire smoke tonight at the Nolan Sayer Field in Mackay, Idaho

Guest Photo by Morgan Betzer (above).

Super Mackay Miner fan, Pam Denning Lords.

Forest Fires Cloud the Air in Mackay, Idaho August 23 2012

Mackay, Idaho. Taken this afternoon, August 23 2012 from the Mine Hill. Below is a photo taken by NASA on 18 Aug 2012 showing all the fires and smoke cover.

Mackay Idaho Air Quality Alert from Halstead Fire August 23 2012

The air quality this morning in Mackay, Idaho is BAD from the Halstead Fire above Stanley, now at  94,044 acres and only 5 percent contained. Mackay Main Street at 10:30 AM Aug 23 2012. You can check the air quality at: http://airquality.deq.idaho.gov

The closest monitoring stations are in Ketchum and Salmon.

Mackay Main Street. Note the US Flag at Mackay City Hall - almost no wind this afternoon.

 Ken's Banquet Room, Perks, and From the Saddle Gallery on Mackay Main Street, Aug 23 2012.

Air Quality in Mackay Idaho Still Improved With Wind from the South Again Today August 21 2012

Note US Flag in front of house on Cedar Avenue (seen here from corner of Pine Street). The Halstead Fire north of Stanley continues to burn out of control at 93,720 acres and only 5 percent contained. With the wind from the south, it is blowing toward the fire instead of bringing the smoke into the Big Lost River Valley. Forecast is for some rain tonight too...hope that helps!

Mackay Clouded with Halstead Fire Smoke This Morning - August 17 2012

Sunrise at 7:30 AM, August 17 2012.

Mt. McCaleb barely visible this morning at 7:30 AM, August 17 2012 due to Halstead fire smoke north of Stanley.

Gas Prices at Sammy's and Smoke in Mackay, Idaho August 13 2012

Gas Prices at Sammy's $3.759. Taken about 3 PM, August 13 2012 before the Halstead forest fire north of Stanley filled the Big Lost River Valley with denser smoke. It smells like smoke and is THICK with ash making breathing difficult.

Halstead Fire Fouls Mackay Idaho Air Quality - August 11 2012

The Halstead Fire north of Stanley, Idaho. The really TERRIBLE NEWS is that the fire is not forecasted to be contained until mid-October 2012.